Mohammed Siraj, India's cricket hero in England Test series, was once told to leave cricket and drive his father's auto

Time of India

17 hours ago

Cricketer Mohammaed Siraj with his family. (Instagram)
Mohammed Siraj's performance in England Test series
Siraj's Final Strike
Redemption Arc: From Dropped Catch to Match-Winner
Nine Wickets in the Match
In 2019, Mohammed Siraj hit what felt like rock bottom. After a rough IPL season with Royal Challengers Bangalore — seven wickets in nine matches and an economy rate close to 10 — the critics didn't hold back. One particularly brutal match against Kolkata Knight Riders saw him concede 36 runs in just 2.2 overs, including two beamers. It was so bad that captain Virat Kohli had to take him off bowling. The backlash was immediate and merciless.People told him to quit cricket. Some even said he should go back to driving an auto with his father — a reference to his modest beginnings. Siraj admitted on the RCB Podcast that those words cut deep, as people didn't see the struggle behind his journey. Fast forward to today, and that same Siraj just delivered one of the most dramatic performances in recent Indian Test cricket history.In a contest defined by relentless pressure, dramatic shifts, and sheer willpower, it was Mohammed Siraj who emerged as India's saviour on the final day of the fifth Test at The Oval. As England stood at the cusp of victory, needing just 35 runs with four wickets in hand, Siraj orchestrated one of the most stirring turnarounds in recent Test history, delivering a sensational five-wicket haul and leading India to a thrilling six-run win. From his very first over on Day 5, he bowled with the kind of discipline and intensity that instantly changed the mood at The Oval.Charging in from the Pavilion End, Siraj wasted no time in making an impact. The ball was old, the conditions weren't overtly helpful, but Siraj's seam presentation and unwavering control brought it alive. It wasn't just about pace; it was about relentless precision. His very first scalp of the morning, Jamie Smith, edged a delivery that seamed away sharply, giving India the breakthrough they desperately needed. The celebrations weren't just about a wicket; they were about a belief ignited.That wicket triggered a cascading collapse. In his next over, Siraj dismissed Jamie Overton with a cleverly disguised delivery that jagged back into the batter. Overton reviewed the LBW call, but replays showed the ball was clipping the stumps — enough for the on-field call to stand. England's equation was now down to 20 runs with just two wickets in hand.While Siraj hunted from one end, Prasidh Krishna provided crucial support from the other. His dismissal of Josh Tongue — bowled through the gate with a thundering yorker — brought India one step closer. England, at 354/9, now needed just 13 runs. Siraj, having already taken two in the session, was entrusted with the ball for a final spell. What followed was theatre at its finest.Chris Woakes, battling a dislocated shoulder, courageously walked out to bat, echoing the spirit of Colin Cowdrey from 1963. Woakes couldn't offer much more than moral support, and it was clear that Gus Atkinson would have to finish the job for England. Atkinson took the fight to India, slicing the deficit down to single digits. A mistimed aerial hit even saw Akash Deep nearly pouch the winning moment, only for the ball to slip over the ropes.But the drama wasn't over. With England needing just 6, Siraj held his nerve. He bowled wide yorkers, tested Atkinson's patience, and eventually produced a searing delivery that crashed into the off-stump, sealing an Indian victory that will be remembered for decades. The roar at The Oval was deafening. Siraj had done it.What made this performance even more special was the arc of redemption that ran through it. Earlier in the match, Siraj had dropped a crucial catch of Harry Brook at the boundary — a moment many believed had turned the tide in England's favour. Brook went on to score a blistering 92, nearly taking the game away.But Siraj didn't let that moment define him. Instead, he came back harder, with a singular focus on rectifying the slip. His ability to channel that moment into fuel, rather than frustration, speaks volumes about his evolution as a cricketer. This wasn't just about wickets; it was about resilience.Siraj's match figures — nine wickets across both innings — underline just how central he was to India's success. In the first innings too, it was his sharp burst that helped break England's middle-order resistance. His ability to pick wickets in clusters, especially with an old ball, has made him a prized asset in the Indian pace unit.With this performance, Siraj didn't just win a game — he helped India square a series that was teetering on the edge. He also emerged as the highest wicket-taker of the series with 23 scalps in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy ended 2-2, a fair reflection of a hard-fought contest, but it could so easily have gone England's way if not for Siraj's magic.